A big focus of conquering momma is balance. Lately, as I have been trying to focus one area the spiritual and physical have been suffering? How do people with extremely limited time keep everything in balance? There are not enough hours in the day.

What are some ways that you incorporate small changes in your life to improve your mental health? Recently I took up working on puzzles to help calm my racing thoughts. I had tried them a few times in the past and would just get aggravated because I wanted to sit down and finish the whole puzzle. I have learned that if I put the puzzle together until I start to get frustrated then stop that I actually really enjoy it. This has had so many benefits towards having a healthier mental state. I have to have patience at the process, even when I want to finish things right now. It has also helped when I am feeling very anxious and my mind is stuck in the circular pattern it can get trapped in. I know that I can unplug for 30 minutes and everything will fade away except the puzzle, because it takes my full concentration. I am so happy to have this tool, I would love to hear what you do in your life that helps to keep your mental state healthy.

Do you know what I love about the holiday season? It is glimpses of humanity that I wish were here all year round. After the last few years people are afraid to talk to each other, get near one another, and the tension can be felt just by walking around. BUT this last month I have had beautiful interactions with strangers. Laughter between people who are parked next to one another putting groceries in their cars. A Merry Christmas from the person standing behind me in line. It is like we have a little bit of permission to reach out and touch each other’s lives once more and honestly, I could not ask for more this Christmas. Finding holiday bliss doesn’t have to be wrapped up in the material things, it can be as simple as giving kindness to yourself or to a stranger. It might be by far one of the best gifts that anyone could receive. What is your holiday bliss?

How many people feel like they are carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders? How can we lay down that burden without feeling like we aren't doing everything we are supposed to? Would love to hear your thoughts.

I was asking my daughter if she got her homework folder and her books for school. Running through a list of things she needed in her backpack, then I started to ask her if she packed her courage for the day. She smiled and was a little confused, then I kept going and asked if she packed kindness and love. She just kept saying yes and smiling and I thought to myself these are the important questions I should be asking her and myself. Reminding each other what I want to put out in the world each day. Is it the frustrations I want to put out there or is it the courage and kindness. This was a moment of unintentional joy between us and there needs to be more moments like this! Connecting is so important. So what are you packing today? What do you want to pack that you aren't and what do you pack that is working?

The last few days have been a wide range of emotions. I have felt joy from seeing my husband after almost a month away to feeling despair at the pain of a loved one all in the same day. I have been stretched to the point of breaking and then pulling it back together to console sadness and anger over the phone of a loved one. I desperately want to reach through the phone and be at 2 places at once just so I can wrap my arms around them and say I love you and we will get through it. These are the moments that you wail to God and in the same day see so many things you are thankful for. Have you ever wanted to control whole world just to make one thing better? What are some circumstances that have had you on your knees in despair? How did you get through those times?

Let's pretend for a minute that money, family, health, and responsibilities went out the window. If you could walk down the road untraveled and be whatever you want to be what would it look like? For me it would not look entirely different from my life now, but my career would look different. I would be an epidemiologist for the CDC. I then would switch gears in the second half of my life, learn Arabic and become a nurse for Doctors Without Borders.

One of my biggest struggles is my depression. It is a thief that steals my time, my time with family, my time enjoying the precious days of life. I lose days and weeks to it's evil and I have to be ready to battle it at any time. What is something you struggle with? How do you feel about that struggle?

When was the last time you felt joy? Felt content in the moment? What was that moment? Last night we had our first night as a family eating outside, enjoying food off the grill. The kids were playing with the water. It was followed by roasting marshmallows. It was blissful, peaceful, and a moment where I felt content and joyful for all that I had. As we were putting the fire out I felt so blessed that we could have this time and the season was here to be outside. Joy found me last night! I would love if you would share a moment of joy!